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By Damiete Braide
No fewer than five communities, mostly in Isua Joinkrama, Engenni, in Ahoada West Local Government Area, Rivers State, have been submerged by flood as a result of torrential rain in the last few days that has resulted in the destruction of buildings and properties worth billions of naira in the area.
Prince Sodin Akiagba, spokesperson, Engenni Ethnic Nationality Forum ( EENF), said never before had they experienced the speed at which the water was flowing into communities and the volume of water seen. He listed some of the communities affected by the flood as Engenni, Ahoada West, communities in Orashi region.
He said: “The 2022 flood is heavy and damaging and there is economic loss, psychological trauma and health implications that are so devastating, even in the current state of hopelessness and helplessness in the communities.
“Many people are in critical condition of confusion and shock to the extent that they do not even know what to do. Sadly, poverty has not helped matters, as most rural dwellers don’t even have the means to evacuate little personal effects and properties they have acquired all their life. Some cannot even feed, not to talk about transportation or securing alternative accommodation.”
Sodin Akiagba, who is also the founder and coordinator of the Sanitation Marshals Volunteers (SMV), revealed that farming and fishing, the main traditional occupation of the Engenni community, have been destroyed as there is no food nor potable water, and there is hunger in the land.
“The people are calling on government at the federal, state and local levels to come to their aid before they start losing their lives due to the devastating effects of the flood as they need help.
“There is a serious state of panic right now and a dire situation that calls for government’s quick intervention at all levels, because the primary responsibility of government is to protect lives and properties of its citizens,” he added.
Sodin enjoined multinational companies, international oil companies, donor organisations, non-governmental organisations, Niger Delta Development Commission, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Ministry of Humanitarian Services, Environment, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Agriculture, the Ecological Funds Department and international donor agencies to come to the aid of the people of Engenni and Orashi as they are in pain.
He said there should be a coordinated approach to evacuate the victims in the communities urgently to avoid casualties. According to him, “It has to be done now, because, after this moment, vehicles cannot even access the communities.
“There should be provision of IDP camps even in the cities, Port Harcourt inclusive. Food, water and medicines should be provided. Volunteers, caregivers and health service providers must be ready to move in for this coordinated evacuation.
“This is the time that we should be our brother’s keeper, to care for the needy and the poorest among the poor.”
